Bryan Pasay was charged with first-degree criminal mischief after his alleged involvement in such a stunt outside the Target store in the Dayville section of Killingly on Nov. 25.

"In my 20 years of practicing the law, I've never heard of cart-wrangling," Sarantopoulos said. "It is the urban version of cow-tipping."

During the wrangling, Pasay's truck tangled with the store's propane tank, breaking it, police said. When workers noticed the tank was damaged, they reviewed surveillance video and were able to make out the license plate number on the truck Pasay had been driving, Sarantopoulos said.

The judge noted that the vandalism could have had dire results. But she recognized that no one intended to damage the tank and allowed Pasay into a one-year probationary program. If he successfully completes it, his charge may be dropped.